Private Detectives and Investigators salary in Oklahoma
Private Detectives and Investigators in Oklahoma earn a median of $39,680 a year ($19.08 an hour), based on BLS data for 370 workers.
Pay ranges from $36,050 for the lowest-paid 10% to $62,690 for the top 10%. That is 23% lower than the national median of $51,220. Oklahoma ranks 48th of 49 states for private detectives and investigators pay. There are 0.22 private detectives and investigators per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $46,450, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for private detectives and investigators in Oklahoma
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,050 | $17.33 |
| 25th percentile | $37,110 | $17.84 |
| Median | $39,680 | $19.08 |
| 75th percentile | $58,430 | $28.09 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $62,690 | $30.14 |
| Average (mean) | $46,450 | $22.33 |
Half of private detectives and investigators earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $3,306.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,653.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,526.15 |
| Weekly | $763.08 |
| Hourly | $19.08 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $39,680 salary, see how much house you can afford in Oklahoma at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Private Detectives and Investigators salary in cities in Oklahoma
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Fort Smith, AR-OK | $46,380 | 40 |
| Tulsa, OK | $44,340 | 130 |
| Oklahoma City, OK | $37,840 | 140 |
Highest-paying states for private detectives and investigators
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Oregon | $76,480 |
| Connecticut | $75,010 |
| District of Columbia | $72,720 |
| Vermont | $67,910 |
| New Hampshire | $65,370 |
| Washington | $64,080 |
| California | $61,250 |
| Arizona | $61,030 |
| Illinois | $60,210 |
| New York | $59,140 |
See Private Detectives and Investigators pay in every state.
Related jobs in Oklahoma
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Security Guard | $36,270 | $17.44 |
| Gambling Surveillance Officers and Gambling Investigators | $36,000 | $17.31 |
| School Bus Monitor | $28,130 | $13.52 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $25,250 | $12.14 |
| Animal Control Worker | $37,450 | $18.00 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $52,360 | $25.18 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $28,610 | $13.76 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $59,700 | $28.70 |
| Firefighter | $49,710 | $23.90 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $45,690 | $21.97 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $82,830 | $39.82 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $85,310 | $41.02 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $51,400 | $24.71 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $80,430 | $38.67 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Oklahoma
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 33-9021. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a private detectives and investigators make in Oklahoma?
The median salary for private detectives and investigators in Oklahoma is $39,680 a year, or $19.08 an hour. Pay ranges from $36,050 for the lowest-paid 10% to $62,690 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid private detectives and investigators make in Oklahoma?
The top 10% of private detectives and investigators in Oklahoma earn at least $62,690 a year. The top 25% earn $58,430 or more.
What is the starting pay for private detectives and investigators in Oklahoma?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $36,050 a year, and a quarter of private detectives and investigators earn $37,110 or less.
How many private detectives and investigators work in Oklahoma?
About 370 private detectives and investigators are employed in Oklahoma, not counting the self-employed.